Keen stood in the dark kitchen beneath the sink, ears perked as she listen to the water run. A few seconds ticked off in her head, and then the faucet stopped. She hesitated, glancing back to the couch where Lightning was sound asleep. Chewing her lip, she looked up at the sink once more and concentrated, her tiny horn emitting a dim glow. Slowly, a glass half-full of water floated over the counter and down. The filly ducked her head, hooves shifting anxiously as she tried to bring the glass to the floor. It was possibly the heaviest object she’d managed to successfully lift so far, but to her immense relief she was able to set it to the floor without a mistake.
A broad grin crossed her lips, eyes aglow with the accomplishment. Imagine when she told Twilight tomorrow! How long before she could lift the big books? She took the glass and drank every drop of water, feeling extra thirsty after the work she’d put on her untested horn. She wiped her lips on the cloth hanging by the sink, then focused on returning the glass to the counter. It was much easier now that the water wasn’t weighing it down.
Though she made an effort to keep quiet, Keen found herself prancing back to her room. She was so glad that she wouldn’t have to wake Lightning up for things like this anymore; the pegasus was even less friendly than usual when her sleep was interrupted.
Keen had closed the door to her bedroom by the time she saw Fine Crime. The sight of him made her jump in alarm, but she recovered quickly once she recognized who the invader was.
Fine was sitting on her bed, staring at the half-full moon through her window. She couldn’t see his face, but he had a distinct sag in his shoulders. When he spoke there was an unmistakable weariness in his voice.
“Hey there, kid.”
She moved slowly to the bed, ears tucked and head low as she took in his somber mood. “Hello, Mr. Fine…”
He looked over his shoulder. He had the drooping eyes of a pony in need of sleep, but he still managed a smile. “I told ya, just ‘Fine’.” His horn glowed and Keen was lifted into the air. She let it happen without complaint, and he set her on the bed in a sitting position. “How ya doing, Keen?”
She tilted her head with a frown. “Are you okay?”
His smile faded as he looked out the window again. “No. I haven’t been okay in a long time.”
Fine’s sad manner was contagious. Keen slipped a little closer and nuzzled his side before looking up at him with big eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
He sighed. His eyes refused to leave the moon. Was he hoping it could help him?
“Just having nightmares. They’ve been worse than usual.”
“Oh.” Keen bowed her head, a sense helplessness wafting over her. “I’m no good with nightmares.”
A silence lingered between them, punctuated only by the soft call of an owl somewhere in the orchard. After a time Fine turned to Keen, smiling down at her even as his entire body slumped.
“I thought it would be a good time to visit. I’m sorry I came so late.”
“It’s okay.” She offered a smile in return. “I wake Lightning up all the time because of nightmares.”
Fine nodded before dropping to his belly, his black mane splaying out on the covers. “Sometimes it helps to see a friendly face. To remember what it’s all for.” Keen tilted her head at him, trying to understand his words. Noting her confusion, he patted her on the head. “Don’t worry about it, kid. I just wanted to see you, that’s all.”
Keen hesitated, but the sight of him so downtrodden made her heart ache. There was only one thing that ever made her feel better when suffering from nightmares… so she walked over and lay beside him, tucking her muzzle beneath one of his legs. She didn’t know if it would help somepony like Fine, but it was worth a try.
The stallion chuckled and pulled her a little closer. “You’re a good kid, you know that? I wish I had been half as good.”
“That’s what Lightning says.” Keen shifted to get more comfortable before asking, “Were all adults bad as foals?”
“No.” He ruffling her mane with a chuckle. “You just got lucky.”
She brushed her unkempt fringe out of her face and nestled against him once more. For several seconds they remained silent. Keen hoped her small presence could help him. Would he stay all night? What would Lightning think if she found him here? She probably wouldn’t be happy. Keen was once again forced to wonder why she didn’t like him.
“Keen?” She looked up to find him watching her, a long, gloomy expression on his face. “I thought you should know that I’ll be gone for a few days.”
Keen’s heart skipped a beat. She jerked away and stood facing him so as to offer a proper stare. “W-what do you mean?”
He spoke in a soft, calm voice. “It’s just three days, maybe four. I promise.”
Keen sat, eyes going to the window. She had that terrible sinking feeling in her chest again.
“B-but what about the monsters?”
Fine rolled onto his belly and offered a smile, though it was strained. “Lightning will look after you.”
Keen bowed her head, trembling just a little. “If she can…”
He sat up, groaning with the effort. He stared down at her, serious but not harsh.
“I’m taking Fluttershy and Twilight with me.”
A fretful sound escaped her lips as her head jerked up. “But what about my lessons?”
He chuckled. “I don’t think missing one lesson is going to ruin your education, Keen.”
“B-but I… Why do you have to take them with you?”
A long yawn escaped Fine’s lips as he studied her. “This is why I came here tonight. I think it would help you to know what I’m trying to do.”
Keen shook her head. “I think you’re the one who needs help right now.”
“Exactly.” He climbed off the bed, stumbling as he did. He turned and gestured. “Lie down and I’ll tell you a little something.”
She wasn’t sure she wanted to, but did as he asked and curled up on the pillow in front of the window. It was very warm thanks to his earlier presence. She looked up at him, chewing her lip and wondering what he was going to say.
He wasted no time. “Keen, like you, I have nightmares. I encountered a monster once. I was your age.” He bowed his head and closed his eyes, and after a second his entire body shuddered. “It scared me half to death, but I’ve never seen it again. It lives now only in my dreams.”
Keen leaned forward, eyes wide. “D-did it take someone from you, too?”
He offered a small smile... and went on.
“I can’t find it. I’ve searched everywhere, but the monster is gone. But I keep seeing it, over and over again, and I’m tired of seeing it. You have nightmares. Can you imagine having them forever?”
A small, shaky sound escaped her lips. She shook her head, sinking low on the pillow. “I don’t want to have the nightmares forever…”
“Me neither,” he agreed with a comforting smile and a pat of her head. “Have you ever heard of the Door of Fears?” Keen shook her head. “It’s a magical doorway. When you open it, it shows you your worst fear.”
Keen swallowed the lump in her throat. “W-why would somepony make that?”
“It was a trap,” he explained. “A trap to keep ponies from reaching a certain treasure. Now it lingers, forgotten and unwanted in the Crystal Empire. That’s where I’m going, Keen. I want to open the door.”
Keen stood up, eyes going wide. “But why? Why would you want to—”
He set a hoof to her lips with a small smile. “Come now, don’t want to wake Lightning.”
She sat and bowed her head, eyes shifting in quiet thought. “You want to face the monster again?”
“Mm-hmm.”
She cast her eyes up at him. “I don’t understand. Aren't you scared?”
He nodded. “It’s going to be very scary. Terrifying. I really don’t want to go.”
“Then why are you going?” she asked, her mind swimming with uncertainty. “It doesn’t make sense.”
Fine thought on his answer, eyes turning away from her. Keen stared at him, wondering what was on his mind. She thought about what would happen if she tried to face her own fear… and could only shiver.
Fine lowered his face to her level and looked her in the eye. She stared into his red gaze, sensing the importance of what he was about to say.
“Everypony is afraid of something. There is only one way to get rid of nightmares, Keen, and that is to find what you’re afraid of, look it in the eye and say ‘You will scare me no longer.’ You have to face your fear.”
Keen’s lips trembled. “B-but… but that’s scary.”
“I know.” He sat back and heaved a long, deep sigh. “Believe me, I know. That’s why I’m telling you this now.”
Keen shrank back a little, eyes widening. “You want me to… t-to face the monsters?”
He smiled. “I want you to face the things the monsters pretended to be.”
She paused, thinking on this. “You mean… other foals? But what if they’re monsters?”
“What if they are?” Fine rubbed his tired eyes with a frown, shook his head. The small motion made him wobble. “You have to face them eventually. You have to learn to handle it, just like Lightning always suggests.”
“B-but I’m not brave like her!” Keen turned away, bowing her head and whimpering. “I’m not a strong pony and they scare me. You don’t understand, either.”
“I do understand,” Fine whispered. He caught her up in his legs and gave her a tight hug. There was such sadness in his voice... “I understand all too well. But you don’t have to be a strong pony or a great mage, or even brave. Keen, I’m asking you, go out and face what scares you as soon as you can. Don’t be like me. Don’t hide from it forever. If you do, you may never escape the nightmares… and someday, the thing you fear may catch up to you.”
She heard a sniff and looked up to see him crying. She could only gape in a confusing mix of sadness and uncertainty. He set her back down on the bed and sat up to rub his eyes. The filly watched, unable to speak for her amazement.
“I’m scared, Keen,” Fine whispered through his tears. “Twilight and Fluttershy are coming to help me, but even with them… I don’t know if I can do this. I’ve been running away from it for twenty five years. After so long, it becomes hard to stop and stand your ground.”
He leaned over her, eyes imploring. “That’s why I’m here, right now. That’s why I had to see you. Don’t keep running, Keen. If you just run, you might never be able to stand and face it. Do it now, while you still can. You don’t deserve to be scared all your life.”
Keen bowed her head as she wondered what to say. She understood that his words were important, but it sounded so hard. He had to be the bravest pony she’d ever met. To see him like this… hurt. If hiding from his fears made him that scared, what would she be like by the time she was all grown up?
He was trying to help her. She knew it, but to just go and face the monsters…
“Do you know how to copy magic yet?”
She looked up, head cocked. “What?”
He tapped her horn, a feeble smile on his lips. “You know, copy what others do?”
“What does—” She saw his sad face and bit back her words. “Twilight said she'd show me when I was ready.”
“That’s okay.” He nuzzled her, pushing her back down onto the pillow. “You practice that when you can. Soon I’ll be able to teach you a trick or two that might make you feel better when you’re scared.”
She eyed his moist cheeks. “Do they help you?”
He stepped back, the shadows wrapping about him like greedy arms. “Not anymore. I’m too far gone for such comforts. But I think they’ll help you. Your fears are fresh, young. Mine are mature and experienced.”
She rested on the pillow, but her fretful eyes remained locked to his. “Will you be okay?”
His toothy grin appeared bright in the shadows. “Don’t worry, kid. No matter what happens, I’ll be back to keep your monsters away. It’s a promise.”
“But…” He was already being covered in dark clouds. Within a few seconds he was gone.
Keen wished she knew how he did that.
She rested her head on the pillow. She didn’t turn to the window this time. She just kept staring at the shadows, thinking about the strange stallion. For once, she wasn’t worried about herself.
It was two days later and Keen was once again at Octavia’s and Upper Crust’s home. Octavia was working a job in town, though, so it was just Upper Crust taking care of her that day. In all honesty, Keen didn’t think Upper Crust was as good a foalsitter as her housemate. Upper Crust wasn’t as cheerful as Octavia. She couldn’t cook like her, didn’t play any instruments and didn’t seem as smart. She wasn’t even all that good at magic.
Yet despite all of these issues, Keen found she liked Upper Crust’s company more. Maybe it was how quiet she was, or how she never pressed Keen into anything she didn’t want to do. Perhaps it was just her constant aura of sadness, the permanent downtrodden look she maintained despite always trying to fake a smile. Keen had this strange feeling, like she was understood by Upper Crust. Was it a good thing? Keen couldn’t tell… but she didn’t mind.
It was early in the afternoon and Keen was sitting at the table watching her foalsitter make sandwiches. Upper Crust didn’t ask Keen’s preference, but that was okay; she accepted the sandwich in silence. The tomato slices were too thick and there wasn’t enough lettuce, but Keen didn’t complain; Upper Crust was doing her best. There was no point in complimenting Upper Crust’s food, for her foalsitter would recognize the white lie. Upper Crust preferred honesty; honesty when addressing others, and honesty with oneself. It seemed to be one of her personal rules.
The meal went on in silence, but Keen’s mind was buzzing. It had been ever since she’d last seen Fine Crime. She had questions, but she didn’t know who to ask. Lightning wouldn’t understand, she never did. Fluttershy might have been a good pony to ask, but she wouldn’t be back until at least tomorrow. Twilight, too. Octavia… Keen wasn’t sure Octavia would have an answer. She seemed like a smart pony, but Keen didn’t need smart. She needed… understanding.
She studied Upper Crust. Now that she thought on it…
“Umm…”
Her foalsitter looked up, noting Keen’s barely-touched sandwich. “Is something wrong?”
Keen ducked. “N-no… I’m just thinking.”
Upper Crust smiled, though it was weak. “About what?”
Keen bowed her head, her long white mane falling over her eyes. “Scary things.”
“I know my sandwiches are bad, but scary? Really?” The adult tried to grin, but Keen only kept staring at her sandwich. After a couple seconds Upper Crust’s smile began to fade and she slumped in her chair with a long sigh. “What kind of scary things?”
Keen shifted in her seat, not sure of how to say what she was feeling. She kept seeing Fine’s tear-streaked face. It made her feel strange. Weak. At last she looked up at her foalsitter and asked, “Was it scary when you stopped being a monster?”
Upper Crust sat up straight, staring at the filly as if not sure what she was looking at. “W-what brought this up?”
Keen leaned against the table, chin set at the edge of her plate. “There’s something I think I need to do, but it’s scary.” She closed her eyes and saw something peering at her in the dark. The sight made her shiver. “I’m tired of having nightmares.”
A long silence passed between them. Keen opened her eyes to see Upper Crust had averted her gaze, her lips set in a soft frown and her eyes shifting at the floor. Maybe she wasn’t the right pony to ask about this after all.
“I’m sorry,” Keen whispered, turning her eyes to her sandwich. “I asked something bad.”
Upper Crust looked up as if pulled from a trance. She stared at Keen for several seconds, then broke into a smile. Keen was struck dumb; it was so… real.
“I don’t think adults should admit to fear before foals,” the mare admitted, “but I think you’re such a smart young filly that you’d know better. Yes, Keen, it was scary.” She turned away, her frown coming back just as quickly as it had left. “I keep thinking that someday I’ll wake up and be just like I used to be. It’s terrifying.”
The question Keen wanted to ask felt strangely improper, but now that she’d started… she sank low in her seat, peering over the table’s edge as she asked, “How would you face your fear?”
“I’d return to Canterlot.” Upper Crust’s response was quick and precise, though she still wouldn’t look at the filly. “I’d go back and meet the monsters and tell them exactly what I think of them.”
Keen stood up, eyes going wide. “Y-you would?”
For the first time since Keen had met her, Upper Crust’s doubts and sadness faded. She met Keen’s gaze with hard, focused eyes. “If I could, yes. I hate what I was and I hate them for making me that way. But,” she added, lowering her eyes but maintaining her fierce expression, “most of all I hate me for letting it happen. Once I’ve recovered, once I have a few legs of my own to stand on, I intend to do go back and face them.”
Keen blinked, eyeing Upper Crust’s legs. “Legs to stand on?”
The mare blinked, noted Keen’s confused face and began to laugh. That only made Keen sit back down and cock her head. What was so funny about legs?
“The point,” Upper Crust said through her grin, “is that I want to face what scares me most.” She leaned over the table to eye the filly.
“That’s what you want to do, isn’t it?”
Keen bowed her head and nodded. She wanted to say something, but just at that moment her tongue seemed locked to the ridge of her mouth and her chest was tight.
Upper Crust leaned back with a sigh. “It’s a scary thought, I know, but if I can do it, surely you can too. Granted,” she added in afterthought, “I haven’t done it yet. My time will come. I just need to… to find my direction. I’m still a little lost.”
Keen looked up at her. “Lost?”
Her foalsitter nodded. “I don’t know what I’m doing... or where I’m going. I have a destination but no map.” She spread her hooves wide, indicating their surroundings. “Octavia has granted me a safe haven, and I am her fan because of it. Yet her generosity can only take me so far; I have to take the next step on my own. Even if I have no clue what that next step will be.”
Keen thought on this, eyeing Upper Crust curiously. “You've been thinking a lot.”
At that her foalsitter drooped, her smile becoming just a little smaller. “Yeah, I have.”
“So… when do you stop thinking?” Keen asked. “When do you take the next step?”
Upper Crust sat up and stared at the filly. She didn’t seem to understand the question. But then her eyes widened and her smile was warm.
“From the moment I choose to.”
Keen rubbed her chin, trying to make sense of this. “I don’t get it.”
Upper Crust giggled. “You don’t have to. Just know that—”
Her words were interrupted by a knock on the door. “Now who could that be?”
Keen felt as if the air had been blown out of her. She cast a sour look out the kitchen door; why did somepony have to come by now? As Upper Crust went to answer the knocking, Keen hopped off her chair and went to the kitchen door. She wanted to see who had interrupted what had felt like a very important conversation.
She also wanted to know if the visitors were monster so she could be ready to hide if necessary.
She could see Upper Crust’s hind legs from around the corner of the house’s entryway. The mare’s voice reached her ears. “Oh, hello Green. I thought you’d be at the festival watching our hero perform.”
“Hey, Miss Crust.” Keen recognized the subdued voice of Green Daze from outside.
Upper Crust made an unpleasant sound. “Just call me Upper Crust, please. Where are your filly friends? It’s odd for them not to be with you.” A moment’s pause. “Green? Is something wrong?”
“Is she here?”
Keen’s ears perked.
Upper Crust, oblivious, asked, “Is who here?”
“Th-the… the girl.” Green hesitated. “You know, the one you and Octy foalsit sometimes?”
Keen felt her heart slam into her throat. She shook her head forcefully, but didn’t dare try to catch Upper Crust’s attention.
Upper Crust couldn’t see her, of course. “Oh… Umm, well…”
Green sounded very hopeful. “I wanted to talk to her. Can I?”
“I don’t know,” Upper Crust replied. “She’s rather shy…”
“I know. That’s why I wanna talk to her without the girls.”
Upper Crust hesitated. “I see.”
Keen clutched the door frame, trembling as she listened to the exchange. Please say no, please say no, please say—
“If you promise to be nice.”
“Pinkie Promise!”
No! Keen turned away, eyes wide as she scoured for a hiding place. She went for the first thing that came to mind, opening the cabinet door under the sink and diving in. Closing the door with her magic and trying not to bang her head on the pipes, she cowered in a corner and listened.
“Keen? You have a… oh. I wonder where she went?”
Green sounded hurt. “Did she run away again?”
Keen sank low, her tail moving to cover her face as she trembled. He was looking for her, actually looking! What would she do if he found her? She couldn’t run, she was trapped in a corner. She covered her head in her hooves and prayed.
Hoofsteps resounded in the kitchen as Upper Crust and Green searched for her. After a few seconds Upper Crust said, “Well, I guess if she really doesn’t want to come out…”
“But I need to talk to her now. The girls are watching Octavia play. I might not get another chance.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’ll have an opportunity at some point.” There was a soft squeak and Keen could just barely see the light of the kitchen shining through her pale tail. “Oh, there you—”
Keen’s head jerked up, eyes wide at the sight of Upper Crust peering in at her. Without even thinking about it, Keen seized the door in her magic and slammed it, the mare’s face caught between it and the frame. Upper Crust let out a pained shout and jerked back; the door closed the rest of the way with a bang.
Guilt welled up in Keen, but she was too scared of having been caught to think of how she’d hurt poor Upper Crust. She kept the door locked in a blue glow, refusing to let it budge as somepony outside tried to open it.
“L-leave me alone!”
“Keen!” Upper Crust’s patient voice was long gone. “What has gotten into you? Come out here right now, little filly!”
“No!” Keen tried to squeeze herself a little more tightly into the corner, wide eyes locked on the door. “M-make him go away!”
“Green is a friend,” Upper Crust snapped. “This is no way for a filly to behave.”
Keen covered her face in her hooves and saw blue eyes staring through the dark. She lowered her hooves with a whimper.
“But I’m scared!”
“Scared?” Upper Crust’s voice grew hesitant. “Of what?”
“P-please...” Keen's tail tucked over her face once more. “Don’t make me…”
A long, lingering silence passed through, punctuated only by Keen’s shivering and whimpers. She silently begged for Upper Crust to understand. Please, let somepony out there understand! She couldn’t face the monsters…
Face the monsters. That was what Mr. Fine Crime was doing right now, wasn’t it? Suddenly she remembered him, could see his tear-streaked face. His plea echoed in her ears, a plea to face her fear.
But what if Green was a monster?
Green’s timid voice reached her ears. “Umm, Miss Crust? Could I talk to her?”
“Upper Crust. And of course you can, she’s right behind the door.”
“I mean, can I speak to her… alone?”
Keen sucked in a sharp breath. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with him!
Upper Crust sounded hesitant. “I suppose…”
Keen rose up just slightly. “D-don’t. Don’t go!” The long silence left Keen feeling cold as ice. “U-Upper Crust…?”
Green’s voice called, soft and uncertain. “Umm… hello?”
Keen pressed against the wall, eyes going wide as she realized she was alone. “Go away!”
“Please don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.”
Keen shook her head and closed her eyes, concentrating on keeping the door firmly closed with her magic. “I d-don’t believe you.”
“Why?”
“Because you might be a monster!”
“A monster?” A heavy sigh passed through the wood. “If only I were so lucky. Ponies might see me if I were a monster.”
Keen blinked, trying to wrap her head around that statement. “See you?”
“I see you, though.” Green's voice was kind. “You always run away when we show up. Why do you run?”
Keen gazed at the door, not certain of what to say. She felt… weird. There was no other way to describe it. His asking that question seemed backwards from how things should be. “I… umm…”
He spoke as if reading from a list. “Fluttershy’s, Sugarcube Corner, Octavia’s. Every time I see you, you’re hiding. Please tell me why.”
The image of Fine came to Keen once more. Suddenly, she felt like she should try. She perked her ears, listening for the sound of chittering laughter. It didn’t come. Was he alone? She didn’t think she could do it, but if he was alone... she still wasn’t sure she could do it. And Upper Crust wasn’t there.
A terrible thought passed through her mind. “W-where’s Upper Crust?”
“Watching from in the living room,” Green answered in a smug whisper. “She thinks I don’t notice, but I can see her reflection in the oven window.”
So she hadn’t left after all? Or was he just saying that to make Keen feel better? But if he wasn’t a monster…
He might be.
What if he wasn’t?
How to know for certain?
She should try.
But it was scary!
Fine Crime waited, and his tears hurt a lot. She didn’t want to disappoint him, and she had this opportunity…
“Please come out.”
Keen looked up at the door, heart beating at a hummingbird’s pace and hooves shaking. Slowly, she forced herself to stand. She could do this. Fine wanted her to. She didn’t want to be scared or to have nightmares anymore.
What if she was wrong? What if he attacked?
The thought made her pause.
“Keen… please?”
She chewed her lip and closed her eyes, fighting to channel Lightning’s bravery. Green wasn’t a monster. She didn’t know if it was true, but she kept repeating it over and over again in her head; Green wasn’t a monster. She took a couple steps and was standing beside the glowing cabinet door. She gazed at the blue aura holding it closed, the one thing protecting her from him. If she took it down…
“I… I’m sorry.” She could hear Green's hooves on the kitchen floor as he turned around. “I guess I should go.”
Keen didn’t know why she felt such a sense of urgency, but she released the door and moved forward. She pushed it open just a crack and peered through. Green had been stepping away with head bowed, but he paused and looked back at her through his blue fringe. He reminded her of a kicked puppy, but the image didn’t put her at ease.
Ready to close the door in an instant, she met his gaze and stared for several seconds. She didn’t know what to say. How to address a could-be monster? At last she said the only thing that came to mind.
“What do you want?”
He turned to her, sitting and keeping his head low. “Don’t be scared of us. I don’t like that you’re always scared.”
Hesitation filled her as she gazed at his forlorn face. Could she believe him? She could leave the safety of her little spot under the sink and then he might carry her away to become a monster. She closed her eyes and saw the images of her nightmares.
Hiding under the covers, peering out as colts and foals crawled from bed. Foals turning black, gaining slitted blue eyes and wicked grins. She could still vividly remember them grabbing the colt in the bed next to hers. His name was Roar. He’d been so nice to her. They dragged him away, but she’d only watched him struggle in silence and tried not to cry for fear of being next.
When he came back on his own, he hadn’t been Roar anymore. How many foals did she watch being dragged off? How many times did she choose to stay shivering under the covers, head buried beneath her pillow so she wouldn’t have to listen? Was it worse when they came back… or when they didn’t?
Keen whimpered and opened her eyes. Green was still there, waiting with eyes averted. He looked so plain... and yet he terrified her. She knew how deceptive they were. She knew she couldn’t trust him.
She considered closing the door. She almost did. But then her eyes went past him, through the kitchen door and to the living room. Upper Crust was there. The mare was standing far back from the door, leaning at an angle to peer in with clear curiosity. The sight of her made Keen reconsider; Upper Crust had lost a friend, too. She’d been a monster once. Surely if Green was a monster she’d protect Keen… right?
Because she understood.
Keen thought on Fine once more as she gazed at Green. Fine was in the Crystal Empire right now, facing what had to be something truly scary. She didn’t want to think of what could be so bad as to scare him, but he was facing it. Keen wanted to be brave like that.
What were the words he’d used?
“You will scare me no longer.”
Green’s ears perked. He looked up at her, head cocked. “What?”
Keen swallowed the lump in her throat and slowly pushed the door open, cringing at the squeaky hinges. She lingered under the sink for a few seconds, fighting to control her shaking breath. “Y-you will… scare me no longer.”
Green blinked, eyes roaming about as if in search of clues. “Um… okay?”
He didn’t pounce. That made her feel more comfortable… but only a little. She reached a trembling hoof to step down, eyes locked with his. Her legs were ready to bolt at the first sign of danger, but even after she was out of the cabinet, he didn’t approach.
“You w-will scare me no longer…”
Green said nothing. He just watched, eyes fixed on hers as she moved slowly, cautiously closer. Every step came just a little easier, but Keen’s head remained low and her ears tucked. She could do this. She could, but please don’t let him be a monster!
“You will scare me no longer.”
She moved closer, each hoof feeling like lead. Soon she was right in front of him, so close that he leaned back with eyes darting about. Keen’s chest was tight, her breath coming in slow and deep rhythms as she studied him up close. Eyes moistening, she looked for the black undercoat, the blue eyes, any sort of indication. She found none.
And then, gradually, she found herself relaxing. A long, strained breath passed from her lungs as she sat back, feeling at once tired and relieved.
This time the words were confident.
“You will scare me no longer.”
A moment of silence passed between them, Green still leaned back as if he were afraid she would pounce. At last he asked, “Feel better?”
Keen bowed her head and set a hoof to her heart. “I’m… still scared.” And yet it wasn’t so intense. She took a hesitant step back, but the urge to bolt was gone. She stared at him, then at her hooves, then back at Green. She could do this… she might actually be able to talk to him. It felt good, in a nervous sort of way.
“I think… I think I’m okay.”
Green beamed. “That’s great!” He noted Keen’s wince and blushed. “I mean, that’s great. I’m Green Daze. Oh, you already knew that, didn’t you?” He scuffed a hoof on the ground and averted his eyes, cheeks growing one more shade of red.
Keen studied his anxious face for a few seconds before nodding. “Um… I’m Keen Arrow.”
He looked up with wide eyes, then broke into a grin and nodded. “Pleasure to meet you.”
He offered his hoof. Keen leaned back, studying it as if it might be a snake. She looked at his smile, then glanced over his shoulder to see Upper Crust in the living room. The adult wasn’t even pretending to be hidden anymore. She nodded with a grin and waved encouragingly.
So, feeling a little uncertain, Keen slowly reached her own hoof forward and touched his… then stared in confusion as he shook it with fervor.
Keen pulled her hoof back and rubbed it once he was finished, not sure what to make of his gesture. “Um… so…?”
“Would you like to join my fan club?”
She blinked and cocked her head. “Fan club?”
He nodded eagerly. “Yeah, for Octavia.” He gestured backwards to the kitchen with a smirk. “Upper Crust is a member. Please?”
Keen took a cautious step back and shook her head with wide eyes. “Oh, no! I’m still scared of—” her ears tucked as a strange wave of guilt passed over her, “–of you. I can’t be with so many ponies…”
“Oh.” He wilted a little. “It’s not a big club. Just me and the girls and Upper Crust.”
“No.” Keen shook her head once more. “I’m sorry. It’s sounds far too…” What was the best word? “Exciting.”
He offered a weak smile as he scratched the back of his head. “That’s the girls, alright.”
“B-besides,” Keen added, brushing her mane aside and averting her eyes, “I think I like Fluttershy more.”
“Oh, that’s okay, Fluttershy’s pretty cool too. She didn’t buck a dragon, but she’s always putting me back together when things get a little too ‘exciting’ around the girls.” He chuckled and reached into his school pack. “Octy says you like to read.”
Keen’s ears perked as he pulled out a book, its pages yellow with age. The cover had a pony standing tall with hooves outstretched to touch the edges of a perfect circle. Green blushed, ears lowering as he noted, “This is my favorite.”
“The Vision of Cavallnardo?” Keen tilted her head as she took in the title.
Green nodded, still not meeting her gaze as she carefully took the book in her hooves. “Cavallnardo da Filly. He was an inventor. He tried to make a flying machine a long time ago, but it didn’t work. Someday I want to make one.” He rubbed the back of his head, cheeks red. “It’s stupid and geeky, isn’t it?”
Keen looked between the book and him, her mind gradually hitting upon something. “The others haven’t seen this? Ani and Apple? Dinky?”
He let out a nervous sound and took the book, hurrying to stuff it into his pack. “Told ya it was stupid…”
Keen tilted her head, her curiosity overriding her lingering fears. “Why show it to me?”
He struggled to fit the book in with his school supplies, face beet red. “I-I dunno. I just… well, I thought… maybe…”
Keen understood. She didn’t know how she understood, but she did, and she realized that she wasn’t scared of him anymore. It felt as if a fog had lifted from her mind. She looked at him and saw Green clearly for what felt like the first time… and somehow knew that he wasn’t a monster. She felt guilty for having suspected him, and grateful as well. If she wasn’t afraid of him, maybe she could learn not to be afraid of the others?
Perhaps Fine had been right. She’d faced Green, and now she wasn’t scared. It made her feel so… happy.
She stepped forward and set a hoof to Greens’ shoulder. The touch made him freeze, his head set away from her and his hooves still holding the pack and book.
“Do you wanna read it with me?”
He turned to her, eyes wide. “Really? You mean it? Most ponies think it’s boring.”
“I like to read,” she reminded him with a timid smile. “I won’t be bored.”
He stared at her for several seconds, as if expecting her to change her mind. When she didn’t he grinned. “Y-yeah, I’d like that. I really would!”
“You can go read on the couch.” They looked to find Upper Crust at the kitchen door, beaming down at them. “There should be enough room for two.”
“Works for me!” Green reared back excitedly and made for the door. “Thanks, Miss Crust. Come on, Keen!”
Keen ducked a little at his enthusiasm, but followed with a smile. Just before she reached the door, however, Upper Crust blocked her path with a hoof and leaned close. She had a delighted smile as she nuzzled the filly.
“I thought you should know that I think Lightning will be proud of you, Keen. You did very well.”
Keen’s hesitation faded as she returned the motion. She looked up at Upper Crust with a grin. “You’ll do well, too. Promise?”
Upper Crust blinked, giving the filly a questioning look. But then she smiled and nodded.
“Count on it.”